DT Brown's Blog

After unpacking, inspect the roots and, if bare root and dry, stand the plants in a bucket of water for up to an hour to moisten the root system thoroughly. Ensure potted trees are well watered.

Kiwi fruits are vigorous climbers and can easily reach a great height, although they are best trained on horizontal wires on a warm wall and pruned to keep in check. When planting choose the site c...

The Honeyberry is a species of Honeysuckle that produces sweet, tasty fruit. The fruit is similar to a blueberry and is produced early in the season; at least two weeks before strawberries. Excepti...

Although they are very hardy plants, when grown outdoors grapes need as much sun as possible to ripen the fruits. In southern England, outdoor varieties will also succeed when trained onto wire sup...

Blackcurrants and Casseille fruit best on one-year-old wood and the aim of pruning is to ensure that the oldest wood is continuously replaced with vigorous new growths.

Blueberries are ready for picking when they are blue-black, soft and detach easily from their stalks. As they don't all ripen together it is usual to go over the bushes several times at about 4-5 d...

All of these berries can be grown effectively against a boundary wall or fence. Otherwise plant in rows 1.8-2.1m (6-7ft) apart, each running north to south to catch maximum sunlight and supported o...

Originating in Western Asia, figs need plenty of sun and warmth. In favourable areas of the south and west they can be trained as free-standing bushes but, in most of the southern half of the count...